Cooper Marsh

The Cooper Marsh Conservation Area and Visitor's Centre are located 18 kilometers east of Cornwall on County Road 2 near South Lancaster, and 102 kilometers west of Montreal.

From Highway 401, exit 814 onto County Road 34 (Lancaster interchange) then turn south onto County Road #2 and proceed 3 kilometers to the main entrance.

Nestled on the picturesque north shore of Lake St. Francis, the Cooper Marsh Conservation Area is the proud Legacy of the late Mr. William Cooper Sr., a past Chair of the Raisin Region Conservation Authority.

This cherished wetland is part of the larger Charlottenburgh Marsh - one of the most significant wetlands in all of Ontario. The Cooper Marsh Conservators, a registered Charity, together with Raisin Region Conservation Authority actively maintain, protect, enhance and restore this natural area.

Follow the wetland boardwalks to explore the swamp and isolated ponds. Climb the viewing platforms and visit the viewing blinds to enjoy more than 130 species of birds that call Cooper Marsh their home. Join one of the educational programs at Cooper Marsh run by the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences. Come to our lovely visitors’ centre.

Wetland birds that breed at Cooper Marsh Conservation Area include the Osprey, American Bittern, the rare Least Bittern, Green Heron, Wood Duck, Pied Billed Grebe and the Black-Crowned Night Heron. The Marsh contains a wide variety of frogs, toads, turtles and fish. In the spring and fall migrations, many bird species visit the Marsh.

If you would like to make a donation to support the ongoing restoration and maintenance of Cooper Marsh, you can make a donation electronically by clicking the Canada Helps icon on this website. Alternatively, you make your cheque payable to Cooper Marsh Conservators Inc. and send it to

Include your name, address and e-mail so we can recognize your contribution at Cooper Marsh on the Donor Recognition Totem Posts and plaques and send you an official tax receipt and keep you updated by email. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Cooper Marsh Conservators, please download the membership form and return it by mail to the office of the Raisin Region Conservation Authority, attention Cooper Marsh Conservators.